Smollett also challenged another narrative that the attack was the result of a date gone wrong. And it does not take anything away from people that are not able to do that, but I fought back. "So I punched his a- back and then we started tussling". He told Moore he had just been jumped. "I'm sorry but I'm not gonna do that", the singer said. "I'm an advocate. I respect too much the people - who I am now one of those people - who have been attacked in any way", Smollett said during his GMA interview. "I didn't need to add anything like that".

Chicago police have said Smollett, 36, has been cooperative and they consider him to be a victim in the case. "It felt like minutes, but it probably was like 30 seconds, honestly".

Smollett said he didn't want to call police at first, but that his friend and creative director, Frank Gatson, called on his behalf. Let's not forget that we didn't get anti-lynching legislation until (checks calendar) 2018, and that the House of Representatives still needs to vote on it, and Donald Trump needs to sign it before it can become law. "I am not weak and we as a people are not weak".

He said he then noticed there was a rope around his neck.

During that time, the star said, he checked himself, saw his bruises and smelled bleach, so he left his clothes on as well as the rope around his neck. The spokeswoman said that the bottle had not been discovered during earlier searches of the area and that the Federal Bureau of Investigation would assist with the analysis.

Iranians Mark 40th Anniversary of Islamic RevolutionFakheri, who was one of the revolutionaries on the streets of Tehran in 1979, said she would defend the revolution all over again. In a speech at Tehran's Azadi (Freedom) square, Rouhani said USA efforts to separate Iran from other countries would fail.

Smollett said that on the night he had walked detectives down to the site of the alleged attack and had seen a surveillance camera right above the spot.

"I just want young people, young members of the LGBTQ community, young black children to know how strong that they are", he said. "You don't even want to see the truth". "They ran off. I didn't". When he turned around to confront them, Smollett was punched in the face. "We are dealing directly with the Chicago Police Department", the statement added.

It was an emotional interview for Smollett, but he hopes his story helps others know their own strength against hate and violence. "No further information available at this time", police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement. "Jussie has voluntarily provided his phone records from within an hour of the attack and given multiple statements to police", the statement said.

Oil prices edge lower, tightening supply outlook supports
"In a market that's looking for direction, there's concern that any slowdown in the manufacturing sector would slow down demand". Supply cuts by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies since January have been supporting prices.

Australia and US seize largest ever meth shipment
It is the single largest seizure of methamphetamine heading Down Under and the largest domestic bust of the drug on U.S. soil. The drugs were detected by United States authorities on January 9 with 25kgs of cocaine and 5kgs of heroin also located.

Owner: Grizzlies will retire Marc Gasol’s jersey in future
Marc Gasol #33 of the Memphis Grizzlies plays the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on December 10, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. He can become a free agent this summer by opting out of the final year of his $25.5 million contract for the 2019-20 season.

Nissan pulls plans to make X-Trail in Sunderland
And Nissan is part-owned by France's Renault, which could move production to France in future to avoid any post-Brexit EU tariffs. As well as manufacturing it in Japan, Nissan also makes the X-Trail in China and Russian Federation .